A life just as it was 300 years ago: the Amish in the US. They live according to their own rules, reject technological advances, wear old-fashioned clothing and drive horse-drawn carts. An encounter with the Amish is like traveling back in time.
Originating from southern Germany and Switzerland, the Amish community brought its culture and language to the New World. Deeply rooted in their faith, the Amish adhere to strict codes and reject modern technology. For outsiders, these rules can sometimes appear strange. They traverse their rural communities in horse-drawn carts, but if a distance is too far, they’re allowed to use a shuttle service. They don’t use telephones unless it’s for business purposes and the device is located outside of the home.
Children are expected to help with housework even when they’re attending school. But before they’re baptized as young adults and finally become part of the Amish community, they’re allowed to try what’s called the rumspringa: a period of time when they’re encouraged to behave like regular teenagers - before deciding on which lifestyle they prefer. But those who opt for a conventional, modern existence are exiled. The film sheds light on a fascinating world governed by tradition.
I dont know if I can believe this. I am pretty certain that the amish are responsible for 80% of the crime in Philly. They are back before sunrise and everyone thinks it is hunky dory.
ReplyDeleteThe Amish are gremlins?
DeleteBack when I was a farmer I worked with the Amish quite a bit, very decent people, hard working and virtuous. Pity the entire country isn't more like them.
DeleteI call BS on this. Amish today use generators, propane lighting, internet (via their neighbors), phone service, electronic banking and checks (will not use cash), shop at the same grocery stores that I shop at, etc, etc, etc. I live amongst them and they are my neighbors for over 3 score years.
ReplyDeleteAnd some of the Amish around here don't do any of the things you mention, and some of them do. You do realize there's different sects, right?
DeleteThe rules (the "Ordnung") for each congregation/community are set by the local bishop. They follow a general pattern but there are variations.
DeleteIt's not quite correct that they are against technology (in a Luddite sense), they seek to separate themselves from the outside world as much as possible to leads lives of simplicity and prayer. That leads to rejecting the modern world (and its technological distractions) as much as possible.
All the ones I have ever dealt with have been decent people.
The Amish lifestyle isn't for everyone, I wouldn't like it but I guess if it is how you are raised its different.
ReplyDeleteThey think of us English as degenerates. And...they have a point. Saw a guy wearing a "SHOW ME THAT BUTTHOLE" hat today. Gross.
DeleteCould be the youths. As far as crime goes. I have had some experience with them. They do like guns and will use them hunting. But they are scrupulously honest in my experience. Different but very polite in my dealings.
ReplyDeleteLol
ReplyDeleteI spend a lot of time in the Lancaster PA area camping at several campgrounds. There's a hardware store at the intersection of Ronks Rd and RT 340. It's run by Amish and they have no problem with technology. It's also one of the best places to get your propane tank filled and cheapest too. The also run an Auction company in East Earl. Ii guess it's like one of the posters said above, there must be different sects that allow this.
ReplyDeleteMy next door Amish neighbor is terrific in spite of the fact my dog killed two of his chickens. ( In fairness to my dog tho, the chickens had been strutting their stuff in my yard for the previous week. I bought them chicken dinners to compensate.) I occasionally haul them and charge the rate, and I buy fresh produce at the price they charge. Good neighbors are a blessing.
ReplyDeleteThe Amish are generally decent, but they don't live as they did 300 years ago.
ReplyDeleteThey are happy to have access modern medical technologies, treatment, and medicines. They also happy to have access to modern ground transportation and food distribution. They get many of the benefits of modernity, but avoid the soul-withering price.
A friend drives for the Amish, an Amish Uber. As Kenny said above, there are different sects often called communities. Each community has their own leader (bishop?) that decides what level of involvement that community can have in our world / technology.
ReplyDeleteThe community my friend drives for has access to a phone on an English property (they seem to call everyone not Amish, English). They use the phone to call for rides. At least once it was for a ride to an English hospital.
After a good snow, they've been known to call for a "ride" to pull them on their skiis. Several of the young men have an adventurous spirit. In their late teens, early 20s, being pulled through the snow like a bunch of kids.
They've been known to order parts off the internet. And this particular community, cash is king. They obviously interact with banks in someway, but they also pay for things in cash quite frequently. They've been known to do interstate trips, my friend sleeping in his van to save money.
They are extremely loyal. My friend drove a mother and her sons to the hospital. After mom was checked in, they told my friend that they would call when they needed a ride home. My friend said, no. He would stay until he knew how mom was doing. He waited with them for several hours until she got out of surgery. That family in particular, and the community in general, have quasi adopted him. Even loaning him money to upgrade his vehicle.
I've no problem with the Amish or the Mennonite. You do your thing I'll do mine. I see little sense in looking for what they do wrong. But wrong in who's eyes?
ReplyDeleteCan anyone shed light on how the Amish handled the covid scamdemic? Did they get the jab, sickness rates, fatalities, did they mask up? Thanks
ReplyDeleteAs I understand, they didn't pay any attention to it and carried on as they normally do, e.g., communion from one cup. Of course, a number of them got sick, but they got over it quickly and achieved herd immunity. They were smarter than most English; I think they figured out quickly that it was a joke and ignored all of the govt direction. I'm sure that they will do the same for the next election-year disease (bird flu).
DeleteI would assume they faired extremely well because: 1) Fauci isn't Amish and he's a murdering globalist, 2) Amish don't wear stupid masks, stupid people do, 3) Amish aren't big on vaccinations so they aren't clotting up and dying, and 4) see 1-3, rinse and repeat often.
ReplyDeleteI had a long conversation with a departed friend about Mennonites and Amish folks. He knew a lot of them. He talked about tradition being a big motivating factor, single men being clean shaven and married men wearing full beards. Head coverings for married women, etc. He said a big factor for them was the aversion to debt, thus using generators to run their milking machines and other stuff (they would pay directly for gasoline, and did not get an electric bill). And using a communal telephone for multiple families. They tend to be very hard workers and very industrious. Another friend has had several barns built by the Amish folks. I have bought a lot of jams and relishes made as Amish products. The Mennonite or Amish label has no negative connotations in my view.
ReplyDelete